Where exactly did the "side" thing come about when referring to TV channels? It mainly seems to be used by older folks these days, so I assume it's to do with the ancient VHF days, but it really makes me wonder who thought up of calling BBC and ITV "sides"...

lifes not a practice run

Where exactly did the "side" thing come about when referring to TV channels? It mainly seems to be used by older folks these days, so I assume it's to do with the ancient VHF days, but it really makes me wonder who thought up of calling BBC and ITV "sides"...

I remember calling them sides,before "channel" was invented(probably by the Americans) I suppose because there were only two choices,"Turn it over to the other side"because the tv had a rotary dial.Now its "change channels",which,on a digibox could take ten minutes.